What are the two most commonly injured ligaments of the knee?
The most commonly injured ligaments include the cruciate ligaments which make up the X – the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).
What is the most important ligament in the knee?
The posterior cruciate ligament is the strongest and largest ligament in the knee. It runs diagonally down the back of your knee, connecting your femur to your tibia. 10 The main function of the PCL is to prevents your tibia from moving too far backward.
Which is worse MCL or ACL?
While not always the case, an ACL tear is in most cases going to be the more severe injury. It is considered worse than tearing the MCL because ACL tears are in general more complex to treat and require a longer recovery time after surgery.
How do you tell if you’ve torn a ligament?
There are several signs and symptoms of a torn ligament, including:
- Snapping, popping or a crackling sound when the injury occurs.
- Pain that doesn’t improve within 24 to 72 hours.
- Swelling that doesn’t lessen within 24 to 72 hours.
- Bruising.
- Limited ability to move the joint.
- Inability to bear weight on joint.
How important are the four ligaments of the knee?
Ligaments are elastic bands of tissue that connect bones to each other and provide stability and strength to the joint. The four main ligaments in the knee connect the femur (thighbone) to the tibia (shin bone), and include the following: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
What ligaments are damaged with lateral blow to the knee?
The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is located on the inner side of the knee. It is injured more often than the lateral collateral ligament (LCL), which is on the outer side of the knee. Stretch and tear injuries to the collateral ligaments are usually caused by a blow to the outer side of the knee, such as when playing hockey or football.
How do you treat a torn ligament in the knee?
An ice pack may help relieve pain and swelling associated with a torn knee ligament. Knee ligament injuries are common among those who play sports. Surgery may be required to treat a torn knee ligament. A compression bandage may be used to support a knee while it heals from a torn ligament.
What are the joints in the knee?
The knee, also known as the tibiofemoral joint, is a synovial hinge joint formed between three bones: the femur, tibia, and patella .